45th anniversary of the International Roma Day
21.3.2016
Question for oral answer O-000048/2016
to the Council
Rule 128
Cornelia Ernst, Marina Albiol Guzmán, Martina Anderson, Malin Björk, Kostas Chrysogonos, Barbara Spinelli, Marie-Christine Vergiat, Lynn Boylan, Matt Carthy, Liadh Ní Riada, on behalf of the GUE/NGL Group
The Roma are the largest minority group in Europe. Since the arrival of the Roma in Europe some 800 years ago they have suffered discrimination, marginalisation and oppression owing to widespread and normalised anti-Gypsyism.
In its resolution of 15 April 2015 on the occasion of International Roma Day – anti-Gypsyism in Europe and EU recognition of the memorial day of the Roma genocide during WW II, the Parliament adopted a strong stance against anti-Gypsyism by expressing its deep concern at the rise of anti-Gypsyism in Europe and underlined the need to combat anti-Gypsyism at every level and by every means. Parliament stated that the recognition of the genocide of Roma during World War II and the establishment of a dedicated European memorial day would constitute an important symbolic step in the fight against anti-Gypsyism and contribute to general knowledge of Roma history in Europe. Consequently, Parliament recognised the holocaust of Roma during World War II and called on Member States to follow this example. The Parliament also declared the establishment of the European Roma Holocaust Memorial Day.
The Commission supported the resolution to establish European Holocaust Memorial Day in a press release on 2 August 2015 and expressed its hope that the Member States would soon recognise it.
1. How will the Council ensure that the fight against anti-Gypsyism is being mainstreamed in all EU policies relating to the inclusion of Roma? What is the Council doing to ensure that EU policies are free from anti-Gypsyism and that Member States are implementing effective measures to fight anti-Gypsyism at national level?
2. What measures will the Council take to endorse Parliament’s resolution to establish a European Roma Holocaust Memorial Day?
3. What measures will the Council take to encourage the Member States to officially recognise the Roma Holocaust?